He first served as Sanitation Commissioner from 1994 to 1998 under Mayor Rudy Giuliani and returned to the position in 2002 to serve under Mayor Michael Bloomberg and stayed on when Mayor Bill de Blasio took office on Jan. 1.

“He has exhibited leadership, competency and tenacity for New York City in the most challenging times. He has never failed to persevere in the most trying situations,” de Blasio said of Doherty in a statement earlier this month. “He has always delivered for New Yorkers – when they needed it the most.”

De Blasio attended a farewell breakfast for Doherty on Friday and praised the outgoing sanitation commissioner.